IMA to Indian medicine council
“IMA exhorts the council to develop their own surgical disciplines from their own ancient texts and not claim the surgical disciplines of modern medicine as its own. Such a deviant practice is unbecoming of a statutory body. The IMA will have no objections for the council to develop their own dedicated disciplines without mixing modern medicine surgical disciplines,” the IMA told the CCIM, which regulates the medical study and practice of ayurveda in the country.
The CCIM, in a gazetted notification dated November 20, said “The (PG ayurveda) students would receive training in shalya (general surgery) and shalakya (diseases of ear, nose, throat, eye, head, oro-dentistry) specialisations. It will make them legally valid to perform procedures such as skin grafting, cataract surgery and root canal treatment.”
On Saturday, the IMA, through a press release, “unequivocally” condemned the “uncivil ways of the Central Council of Indian Medicine to… empower its practitioners with undeserving areas of practice”. “The said council has come out with a gazette notification of a list of surgical procedures which can be performed by its practitioners. They have no right to the technical terms, techniques and procedures of modern medicine. The IMA draws the Lakshman Rekha which they can cross at their peril,” the IMA said in a press note on Saturday.
It lambasted as the CCIM saying that the council has the dubious reputation of prescribing modern medicine textbooks to its students.
The IMA demanded that the government should refrain from posting any modern medicine doctor in the colleges of Indian Medicine, stating that it saw this move as a retrograde step of mixing the systems, which “will be resisted at all costs”.
“All over India, students and practitioners of modern medicine are agitated over this violation of mutual identity and respect. What is the sanctity of NEET if such lateral shortcuts are devised,” it asked.
“Corrupting modern medicine by mixing it with other systems and poaching the disciplines of modern medicine through the back door is certainly foul play of first order,” it added.
Meanwhile, a legal notice was sent to the IMA by Supreme Court lawyer Archana Pathak Dave on behalf of Vaidya Prashant Tiwari, a practitioner of ayurvedic medicine, on November 18. The notice was sent to the IMA for its “irresponsible, defamatory, false and misleading” statements made with an intention to “disrepute AYUSH medicines and their practitioners”.
The notice called out IMA for “referring to AYUSH medicine as placebo”, for stating they are not “drug”, besides not supporting AYUSH Ministry’s claim of ayurvedic medicine being effective against the COVID-19.
On October 6, the central government had announced the National Clinical Management Protocol for the COVID-19, based on ayurveda and yoga, following which the IMA on October 9 had asked Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan to produce substantiating evidence of it.
Questioning the scientific basis of these protocols, the IMA asked the
Tamil actor Sivakarthikeyan helps girl pursue medicine- The New Indian Express
Express News Service
TIRUCHY: 18-year-old G Sahana was on cloud nine on Wednesday after securing admission into MBBS. She endured many a hardship to realize her dream. Along with hard work, contribution from well-wishers like actor Sivakarthikeyan helped her pursue her goal.
Sahana’s father K Ganesan is a tailor and her mother G Chithra is a homemaker. . Their house in Pookollai at Peravurani was damaged in cyclone Gaja in 2018. Despite the lack of power supply and nothing to call home, Sahana performed well in the Class 12 boards the next year and was the topper in her school scoring 524 out of 600 marks.
“We lost our hut in the cyclone. Since we did not have power connection, I used to finish studies in school itself. My teachers helped me immensely. When I topped my school, I realized I could do well in NEET too. In NEET 2019, I studied by myself and with the help of my school teachers,” said Sahana.
She wanted to be a cardiologist but could not make it to MBBS. “Many people came forward to help me thanks to my school teacher. Actor Sivakarthikeyan sponsored my NEET coaching in a private institute. I studied for an entire year. I would like to thank him and everyone who helped us,” said Sahana.
Sahana scored 273 in NEET 2020 and bagged a seat under the 7.5% reservation for government school students. She has taken admission in the KAP Viswanatham Government Medical College Tiruchy. Sivakarthikeyan will bear the entire expenses of her medical education too, Sahana told TNIE.
Like her life, her house has now been re-built and has solar power, thanks to the Thanjavur collector. Her sister G Devi Bala will pursue BEd after completing MSc.
WHO to set up centre for traditional medicine in India; PM Modi calls it ‘matter of pride’- The New Indian Express
NEW DELHI: The World Health Organisation announced on Friday that it will set up a Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India, with Prime Minister Narendra expressing confidence that just like the country has emerged as the ‘pharmacy of the world’, the WHO institution will become the centre for global wellness.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the announcement in a video message at an event in which Prime Minister Modi dedicated two future-ready Ayurveda institutions in Jaipur and Jamnagar to the nation via video conferencing on the occasion of the 5th Ayurveda Day.
The Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar (Gujarat) and the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur (Rajasthan) are both premier institutions of Ayurveda in the country.
The Jamnagar institute has been conferred the status of an Institution of National Importance (INI) by an act of Parliament and the one at Jaipur has been designated an Institution Deemed to be University (De novo Category) by the University Grants Commission (UGC), according to the AYUSH ministry.
In his video message, Ghebreyesus said, “I am pleased to announce that we have agreed to open a WHO Global Centre of Traditional Medicine in India to strengthen the evidence, research, training and awareness of traditional and complementary medicine.
” “This new centre will support WHO’s efforts to implement the WHO traditional medicine strategy 2014-2023 which aims to support countries in developing policies and action plans to strengthen the role of traditional medicine as part of their journey to universal health coverage and a healthier, fairer and safer world,” he said.
Traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda can play an important role in integrated people-centric health services and healthcare, but they have not received enough attention, the WHO DG said.
Ghebreyesus also lauded Prime Minister Modi for his commitment to the universal coverage under Ayushman Bharat and evidence-based promotion of traditional medicines to achieve health related objectives.
Modi said Ayurveda is India’s heritage whose expansion entails the welfare of humanity and all Indians will be happy to see that the country’s traditional knowledge is enriching other countries.
“It is a matter of pride for all Indians that the WHO has chosen India for establishing its Global Centre for Traditional Medicine.
Now work will be done in this direction from India,” Modi said.
“I would like to thank the WHO and particularly its Director General Tedros for giving this responsibility to India.
I am confident that just like India has emerged as the pharmacy of the world, in the same manner this centre for traditional medicine will become the centre for global wellness,” he said.
Stressing on bringing ayurveda knowledge out of books, scriptures and home remedies and developing this ancient knowledge as per modern needs, Modi said new research is being done in the country by combining information received from modern science of the 21st century with India’s ancient medical knowledge.
Noting that three years ago, the All India Ayurvedic Institute was established here, he said
Get personalised online fitness training from this bodybuilder- The New Indian Express
Express News Service
NELLORE: This bodybuilder has been training students from poor financial background in bodybuilding free of cost during Covid-induced lockdown. Valluru Muni Bhaskar (30), who won Mr South India competition in 2019, hails from YSR Colony in Nellore.
His father works in a gas agency and money was never enough for his family to lead a comfortable lifestyle. Bhaskar earns Rs10,000 to Rs13,000 per month training students in bodybuilding.
Speaking to TNIE, Bhaskar said, “I took to bodybuilding, while studying Intermediate, when my friends teased me for being underweight. I started working in a gym during 2008 and gradually did powerlifting and bodybuilding. Such was my passion that in two years, I entered a bodybuilding competition in Nellore in 2010 and stood as a runner-up. My aim is to win an international medal for Nellore district in the bodybuilding competitions.”
students in Nellore | eXPRESS
He said, “Initially, there was not enough money to buy nutritious food due to my family’s meagre income. I took up a temporary job to support my father.”In 2010, he participated in several competitions. Bhaskar won Mr Nellore title in 2011, Mr Rayalaseema title in 2012 and Mr Tamil Nadu title in 2013.
He also worked as a fitness trainer in a corporate company from 2010 to 2013. “In 2017, I won the gold medal in Mr Andhra competition. In 2019, I was also selected as Mr South India in the nationals held in Maharashtra. My aim is to get an international medal for Nellore district,” the bodybuilder pointed out.”
Bhaskar was forced to withdraw from bodybuilding competitions in 2014-15 following a financial crisis. In 2016, Bhaskar completed a certificate course in International Sports Science Association (ISSA) and certification programmes in nutrition intending to impart training in the sports discipline to those interested.
“I work as a courier boy. I have been undergoing training under Bhaskar for the last five years. I won two silver and one gold in bodybuilding competitions held in Vijayawada, Palakollu and Mandapeta. In 2017, I was selected for Junior Nationals. But due to lack of financial support, training, nutrition and diet — I could not take part in the competition,” Neeli Akhil, one of Bhaskar’s students, said.
Build a perfect body at home
More than 20 students trained as bodybuilders under the guidance of Bhaskar. Now, Bhaskar has been looking for a gym and waiting for financial support to once again participate in the national and international competitions and train students in bodybuilding
IMA on integrated medicine proposal- The New Indian Express
NEW DELHI: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Thursday said it is “highly perturbed” by the recent policy proposals for integration of all systems of medicine, calling it a “khichdi medical system” which could put millions of lives at risk.
In a statement, the organisation of doctors said it stands for purity of systems of modern medicine as well as Ayush and that this new system will provide “hybrid doctors” and the choice of the patient is effectively nullified.
“It is not in the interest of traditional systems either to lose their identity and further development. As such 96 per cent patients in IPD and 94 per cent of patients in OPD are being served by modern medicine,” it said.
“Currently, a patient has the choice of choosing either modern medicine or alternative system as per their desire. Unfortunately, the khichdi medical system that is being envisaged will provide only hybrid doctors and the choice of the patient is effectively nullified,” the statement said.
It claimed that NITI Aayog has formed four committees to integrate all systems of medicine.
These committees are in the area of medical education, clinical practice, public health, medical research and administration.
The theoretical basis of policy seems to emanate from the new National Education Policy.
Warning that the radical changes that are being institutionalised will have series impact on the health of people and can put millions of lives at risk, the IMA said it is “highly perturbed” by the move.
“The most important policy shift is from multiple dedicated medical streams to a system of integrative medicine. In simple words, what is being envisaged is to mix systems of medicine together in curriculum, practice and research. This retrograde step of unscientific mixing of systems of medicine will produce hybrid doctors who are nowhere,” the statement said.
“IMA has an IMA-Medical Student Network in 287 medical colleges of the country. The medical students of this country are equally concerned about their career and future. IMA MSN has joined hands with IMA in this campaign against quackery, mixopathy and crosspathy. IMA also demands that the PG NEET examination postponed without any notice should be held on schedule,” it said.
Phoenix Indian Medical Center birth center closes, upsets moms-to-be
Rochelle Chee and her son, Theodore. (Photo: Courtesy of Rochelle Chee)
For months, Rochelle Chee diligently went to the Phoenix Indian Medical Center for prenatal checkups.
She knew a midwife and other staff there well and felt confident in the idea of going to the facility to deliver her first baby, who was growing big, in the 90th percentile for his gestational age.
That’s why the Navajo woman was shocked when, at 40 weeks pregnant, she learned the hospital had shut down its obstetrics services with no prior notice.
“I was stressed the whole time as I have been seeing PIMC throughout my whole pregnancy and last minute, I had to go elsewhere,” said Chee, 30. “My baby and I felt abandoned.”
The sudden closure of the Phoenix Indian Medical Center obstetrics, or OB-GYN, services on Aug. 26 has left dozens of expectant moms like Chee scrambling to seek birthing services elsewhere — and some facing unexpected, steep costs. Some say they’ve received conflicting explanations and unclear guidance on what to do next.
The federal Indian Health Service said in an email Friday to Indian Country Today that the closure is temporary and related to “facility infrastructure, equipment and challenges with staffing.” It did not provide a reopening date.
“PIMC is working to resume obstetrical services when they can be provided in a safe environment,” the statement read.
The hospital continues to provide prenatal and gynecologist specialty care, and facilitate care for patients near term, the agency said.
“Patient safety is the highest priority for the Indian Health Service.” It did not answer questions about how it’s advising expectant mothers who rely on its birthing services.
‘Unsafe conditions’
The Phoenix Indian Medical Center, near downtown, provides health care and community health services to more than 140,000 people from the greater Phoenix area. “The tribal identity of eligible beneficiaries receiving care at PIMC is representative of 67 percent of the 573 federally recognized tribes,” its website says.
The hospital operates under the Indian Health Service umbrella, providing care to tribal citizens under a federal obligation to Native people.
It has offered prenatal and birthing services for decades.
The Phoenix Indian Medical Center went weeks without publicly announcing the closure and referred all questions to the Indian Health Service, which did not provide details on how many patients were affected.
However, a source familiar with the hospital’s inner workings said nearly 200 patients have been referred out in recent weeks. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to Indian Country Today only on condition of anonymity.
The decision to close the obstetrics services was abrupt and made by the PIMC Governing Board in response to an internal review that recommended closure due to “unsafe conditions,” the source said.
In its statement, the Indian Health Services noted aging facilities and said its Phoenix area office has started a master planning
Dentist kidnapped from Hyderabad rescued in Andhra Pradesh, within 24 hours- The New Indian Express
HYDERABAD: Within 24 hours of getting kidnapped from his dental clinic in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Dr Hussain was rescued on Wednesday early morning by Andhra Pradesh police in Ananthapuram district.
Based on a tip-off by Telangana police, their counterparts managed to intercept the vehicle in which the kidnappers were travelling to Bengaluru. A couple of men present in the vehicle were caught while a few others managed to escape.
The AP police will hand over the victim, suffered mild injuries due to assault, to the Telangana force.
Interestingly, the kidnappers had demanded Dr Hussain’s family a ransom of Rs 10 crore in the form of Bitcoins.
According to police, the kidnappers got into Dr Hussain’s dental clinic in Kismatpur under Rajendranagar police limits posing as patients. Minutes after entering his room, they kidnapped the dentist around 1 pm, forced him into his own four-wheeler and drove away.
Later, four more accused joined the gang and the vehicle proceeded towards the Bengaluru Highway. In the meantime, Rajendranagar police received information about the incident, tracked the vehicle and alerted the AP police.
Personnel posted in checkpoints in Ananthapuram were quickly alerted who checked every vehicle and later rescued Dr Hussain. In a video recorded after his rescue, the dentist said that around five burqa-clad persons kidnapped him from his clinic at around 1 pm on Tuesday.
“They knew that I live in Prestige Royal Woods In Kismatpur. They took my vehicle’s key that was kept on the table. I tried to resist and screamed twice as well but there was no one around. They forced me in to my own vehicle and took me away.
“Later, they changed the vehicle. They took me in an auto and kept me in a room for a while where they provided me water and spoke properly. Then they again put me in a four-wheeler and took me away. I could not see my watch but it must have been around 2 am then,” Dr Hussain said.
The dentist’s face was completely covered and his hands were tied when he was rescued. Dr Hussain also runs a real estate business and well off.
Bengaluru leads the way in fitness journey in ‘new normal’- The New Indian Express
Express News Service
BENGALURU: Garden city, pub city, and now fitness capital… Bengaluru, according to a recent survey, leads the way when it comes to fitness and health consciousness.
A survey by Gympik to assess the impact of Covid-19 on India’s fitness behaviour, shows that the city tops the list in the virtual fitness landscape, with 58 per cent Bengalureans surveyed working out at least 3-4 times a week. Mumbai, with 46 per cent, Delhi/NCR, with 42 pre cent, take the second and third spot, respectively.
With more than 50,000 respondents from across geographies, the report tracks key wellness trends such as mental health, emerging fitness solutions, and new industry challenges.
The city’s vast population of IT professionals, who work long hours and are prone to health issues, have realised that they need to up their fitness quotient to sustain their line of work.
“Because they have travelled to the West a lot on work-related projects, their exposure to Western themes like CrossFit, long-distance running and yoga – which people are lapping up because of the way the it has propagated there – have influenced them to become fitness conscious,” says Abinav Shankar Narayan, founder, Namma CrossFit, adding that only those who liked lifting weights are eager to return to gyms as training at home does not allow people to lift and drop heavy weights.
Agrees nutrition advisor Shalini Manglani who feels that people in the “tech city” are more savvy with the virtual medium.
According to fitness consultant and personal trainer Bhaskar Prabhu, Bengaluru has fitness enthusiasts who are serious about their workouts.
“Many clients have set up a small gym in their houses so as to not skip their usual routine. This way they don’t have to worry about the safety issues involved in going to a gym,” says Prabhu.
With many living with senior family members, and not wanting to take a risk, Prabhu is not surprised that they have easily adapted to the virtual route.
“This way they feel they are keeping fit and building immunity without stepping out,” he says.
Bengaluru is a hub for fitness seekers and experts, says Amaresh Ojha, founder-CEO, Gympik.
“Even before Covid-19, Bengaluru had the highest traction for online gym membership sales via our platform, which clearly shows Bengalureans’ inclination towards fitness and wellness,” he adds, pointing out that the average resident in the city is more than enthusiastic about trying out new things, especially when it involves technology.
“It’s this attitude which has made Bangalore top the charts in adopting virtual fitness services as well,” he says.
In a nutshell
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Bengaluru leads in the virtual fitness landscape with 58%, followed by Mumbai with 46%, Delhi/NCR with 42% surveyed residents working out at least 3-4 times a week.
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While deciding to return to the gym, 90% of the members are strongly concerned about the sanitisation measures taken at the fitness centre.
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72% of members said they would feel more comfortable at the gym with additional sanitiser dispensers
Aditi Chauhan’s academy launches online sports coaching & fitness programs- The New Indian Express
NEW DELHI: Indian goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan, who founded the She Kicks Football Academy in 2018 to provide a platform for female players to achieve their goals in professional football, has announced two online sports coaching and fitness programs for boys and girls.
The online programs, which are designed by Aditi, include ‘Score from Home’ (for football aspirants) and ‘Sweat It’ (for everyone looking to lead a healthy lifestyle).
Each of the sessions will be planned and conducted by trained professionals in the field and will be carried out through video conferencing tools. Aditi will be closely monitoring both the programs to ensure that the best quality services are provided.
The batch for each of the programs will comprise of 15 individuals and WhatsApp groups will be created for regular feedback and for various important notifications and downloadable content to be shared.
Feedback will be taken from the participants every week to ensure the quality of the programs. Both programs have no age limit. The sessions which will be one hour long will be organised on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Speaking on the programs, Aditi, who is represented by sports marketing firm Baseline Ventures said, “Maintaining fitness is crucial for everyone and therefore we have decided to organise two programs with one catering to individuals who want to learn the game of football and the other catering to participants who are looking to keep fit and healthy without concentrating on any specific sport.”
“After my friends and family came to me for guidance regarding health and fitness, I realised that many people want to be aware of the ways of leading a sustainable long-term healthy lifestyle and therefore we decided to create the Sweat It program for one and all,” she added.
Bengaluru leads the way in fitness journey- The New Indian Express
Express News Service
BENGALURU: Garden city, pub city, and now fitness capital… Bengaluru, according to a recent survey, leads the way when it comes to fitness and health consciousness. A survey by Gympik to assess the impact of Covid-19 on India’s fitness behaviour, shows that the city tops the list in the virtual fitness landscape, with 58 per cent Bengalureans surveyed working out at least 3-4 times a week. Mumbai, with 46 per cent, Delhi/NCR, with 42 pre cent, take the second and third spot, respectively.
With more than 50,000 respondents from across geographies, the report tracks key wellness trends such as mental health, emerging fitness solutions, and new industry challenges.
The city’s vast population of IT professionals, who work long hours and are prone to health issues, have realised that they need to up their fitness quotient to sustain their line of work.
“Because they have travelled to the West a lot on work-related projects, their exposure to Western themes like CrossFit, long-distance running and yoga – which people are lapping up because of the way the it has propagated there – have influenced them to become fitness conscious,” says Abinav Shankar Narayan, founder, Namma CrossFit, adding that only those who liked lifting weights are eager to return to gyms as training at home does not allow people to lift and drop heavy weights.
Agrees nutrition advisor Shalini Manglani who feels that people in the “tech city” are more savvy with the virtual medium. According to fitness consultant and personal trainer Bhaskar Prabhu, Bengaluru has fitness enthusiasts who are serious about their workouts. “Many clients have set up a small gym in their houses so as to not skip their usual routine. This way they don’t have to worry about the safety issues involved in going to a gym,” says Prabhu. With many living with senior family members, and not wanting to take a risk, Prabhu is not surprised that they have easily adapted to the virtual route. “This way they feel they are keeping fit and building immunity without stepping out,” he says.
Bengaluru is a hub for fitness seekers and experts, says Amaresh Ojha, founder-CEO, Gympik. “Even before Covid-19, Bengaluru had the highest traction for online gym membership sales via our platform, which clearly shows Bengalureans’ inclination towards fitness and wellness,” he adds, pointing out that the average resident in the city is more than enthusiastic about trying out new things, especially when it involves technology. “It’s this attitude which has made Bangalore top the charts in adopting virtual fitness services as well,” he says.
In a nutshell
Bengaluru leads in the virtual fitness landscape with 58%, followed by Mumbai with 46%, Delhi/NCR with 42% surveyed residents working out at least 3-4 times a week
While deciding to return to the gym, 90% of the members are strongly concerned about the sanitisation measures taken at the fitness centre
72% of members said they would feel more comfortable at the gym with additional sanitiser dispensers